Oil sands, Canada - 2008

Oil residue landfill from the exploitation of oil sands, Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada (57°01’ N, 111°38’ W).

TYPE OF WORK

Original Edition Signed and Numbered


Oil sands that have been exploited for about thirty years represent the second largest oil reserve in the world with an estimated potential of 173 billion barrels. To obtain one barrel of 159 litres of crude oil, one has to extract 2 tons of peat and soil and 2 tons of sand. Oil sands usually lie over 60 metres deep. Pits are dug and enormous trucks that can carry over 400 tons are used to take the oil sands to treatment plants. The water that is pumped in the river is used to separate the tar from the sand in large heated tanks. This tar is then turned into liquid oil before being sent, by pipeline, to supply North America. This titanic task is economically advantageous for the region.With the money from the oil, the population of the town very close to Fort McMurray has rapidly increased over the past few years. However, even if this wealth is advantageous for the province of Alberta, oil companies and the inhabitants, it is at the expense of the environment of us all. As the Boreal forest along the Athabasca River is destroyed, the soil is turned over and there is chemical residue and water contamination. The consequences of this environment exploitation are very serious. Despite the fluctuations of oil prices, extracting Alberta’s oil sands is still profitable and therefore seems set to continue unless the necessities of the fight against global warming come and put a stop to it.

THE PHOTO

Taken in 2008, It is a digital photography. Its file is stored by the Yann Arthus-Bertrand Studio in Paris.

THE PRINT

Original work by Yann Arthus-Bertrand. The prints are made exclusively by the Yann Arthus-Bertrand Studio in Paris under the control of the artist himself.

Original Edition Signed and Numbered

Prints ordered without frames include a white border
- Format 1, 2 & 3 = 2 cm of white border around the image
- Format 4, 5 = 4 cm of white border around the image
- Format 6 = 5 cm of white border around the image
Digital print made by the Yann Arthus-Bertrand Studio. Canon IPF 9400 Ink-jet printer, pigmentary ink, printing on acid free 100% cotton fibre paper (Museo Silver Rag)

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POUR LES ŒUVRES SIGNÉS ET NUMÉROTÉES

All our frames are made to measure and hand-made. The wood chosen for the frames is cut directly and assembled as a function of the work and painted as chosen.
For the signed prints, the Yann Arthus-Bertrand Studio offers three choices of frame : dark wood, wood painted white, wood painted black.
It is possible thereafter to choose a frame with glass or a frame with non-reflecting glass.

FOR THE LIMITED EDITIONS

The purchase of the work is uniquely by way of a print.
For any requests relating to framing please send an email to : atelier@yannarthusbertrandphoto.com

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framing

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Only for orders taken in July and August, between 3 to 4 weeks should be allowed for a print and 5 to 6 weeks for a framed print.

Once the order is validated, the print is made, signed and framed in accordance with your request.

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